Navigating Back to School with Food Allergies The excitement of going back to school is a feeling shared by many students and parents alike. However, for families dealing with food allergies, this time of year can also bring about unique challenges and concerns. With proper planning, open communication, and education, you can ensure a safe and enjoyable school experience for your child with food allergies. 1. Understanding Food Allergies Before delving into the specifics of going back to school, it's essential to have a solid understanding of food allergies. Food allergies occur when the immune system reacts negatively to a particular protein in a specific food. Common allergens include peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, soy, wheat, fish, and shellfish. Reactions can range from mild to severe, with anaphylaxis being the most severe and life-threatening reaction. 2. Communication is Key Open and effective communication is the cornerstone of managing food allergies at school. Start by notifying the school administration, teachers, school nurse, and cafeteria staff about your child's food allergies. Provide them with detailed information about the allergens to avoid, potential symptoms of a reaction, and the steps to take in case of an emergency. Regular check-ins throughout the school year can help ensure that everyone remains vigilant and informed. 3. Develop a Food Allergy Action Plan A food allergy action plan is a written document that outlines the steps to be taken in case of an allergic reaction. Work closely with your child's allergist to create a personalized plan that includes clear instructions on how to recognize symptoms, administer medication (such as epinephrine), and seek medical assistance. Share copies of this plan with the school and ensure that all relevant staff members are familiar with its contents. Get started today! 4. Educate Your Child Empower your child by educating them about their food allergies. Teach them how to read food labels, identify allergens, and make safe food choices. Encourage them to speak up when offered food by others and to never trade or share meals. Role-playing different scenarios can help them feel more confident in managing their allergies independently....

🚫 Beware of Insect Sting Allergies! 🚫 Hey friends! With summer in full swing, let's talk about something essential—Insect Sting Allergy! For some of us, those buzzing bees and pesky wasps might be more than just annoying—they can pose a serious health risk. If you or someone you know has ever experienced a severe reaction to an insect sting, it's crucial to take extra precautions. Symptoms to Watch Out For: Swelling: If the sting area swells significantly or spreads to other body parts, it could be a sign of an allergic reaction. Hives or Rash: Red, itchy bumps or welts appearing on the skin may indicate an allergy. Difficulty Breathing: Shortness of breath, wheezing, or tightness in the chest requires immediate attention. Dizziness or Fainting: Feeling lightheaded or fainting after a sting could be a severe reaction. Nausea and Vomiting: Upset stomach or vomiting may be symptoms of an allergic response. What to Do in Case of Severe Reaction: Seek Medical Help ASAP: If you or someone else experiences severe symptoms after an insect sting, call emergency services immediately. Use an Epinephrine Auto-Injector: People known to have severe allergies should carry an epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen) and know how to use it. Preventive Measures: Keep Windows and Doors Closed: Minimize the chance of insects entering your home by keeping doors and windows shut, or install screens. Avoid Sweet Scents: Insects are attracted to sweet scents, so be cautious with perfumes, scented lotions, and sweet beverages when spending time outdoors. Cover Food and Drinks: Keep food and drinks covered during picnics and outdoor events to avoid attracting insects. Stay Calm and Still: If an insect approaches you, try not to panic. Stay calm and move away slowly to reduce the risk of being stung. Remember, knowledge is power! Share this info with your friends and family to raise awareness about Insect Sting Allergies and help keep everyone safe this summer. Our board-certified allergists, experienced PAs and friendly office staff are here to answer questions and help find relief. Contact us today!

Always read labels- While it’s always important to read labels, ensure you are reading labels for activity boxes. Often, gingerbread boxes and premade holiday kits have easily missed allergens. Looking at labels online and pre-ordering can help you get an “allergy-safe” activity kit. Plan ahead- let the hosts know about the food allergies present. This can be an excellent opportunity to educate family members about food allergies. As there is often great misunderstanding about food allergies, it is important to let loved ones know that food allergies are serious and can even be life-threatening in small quantities. Keep “safe dishes” separate and labeled from those which have the ingredients. Educate about cross-contact- this is a newer term describing when food proteins from other foods mix, even in small amounts and can cause reactions. Cross-contact is the preferred term for preventing allergens. Hands and utensils should always be cleaned in hot, soapy water to prevent cross-contact. Schools, restaurants, and families should all be familiar with preventing this! Get creative! Substitute! If you are hosting, there are many ways to substitute the major allergens. A great resource and list of substitutions can be found at: https://www.foodallergy.org/living-food-allergies/food-allergy-essentials/common-allergens/substitution  ALWAYS carry emergency medications, including two doses of Epipen/Auvi-Q and an antihistamine. Accidents can happen, and it’s important to be prepared. Holidays are also a great time for a family vacation! If eating out at restaurants, providing chef cards that list allergies can provide clear communication to the restaurant about “safe foods.” These have also been translated into many languages for those traveling abroad! Find chef cards here: https://www.foodallergy.org/resources/food-allergy-chef-cards.   Holidays can be challenging to navigate for those with food allergies! Talk to your pediatric allergist to help give you dialogue on how to communicate with others about your child’s food allergies. In addition, oral immunotherapy is a procedure that may be an option for your child to desensitize them to certain foods and prevent reactions with accidental exposures. Talk to a pediatric allergist to determine if your child would benefit from this.                         Many holiday activity kits contain...

Hidden Halloween Allergy Scaries! Halloween is a fun time for kids, but often children with asthma or allergies fall activities can trigger their symptoms! We want your children with allergies or asthma to be able to enjoy Halloween, and we're here to help make those pesky allergens a little less spooky! Jumping in fall leaves, riding hay rides, and haunted barns- all of these activities can trigger asthma and allergies. Hay and barns can have hidden mold, ragweed, dust, and storage dust mites which can be a  trigger. Although fall leaves are beautiful, leaves sitting out for a while or decomposing can also lead to mold growth; playing in the leaves can spread the particles in the air making symptoms worse. One of the most common molds during this time of year is Alternaria, which grows in decaying plants, logs, and hay. As it can get windy this time of year, these particles can spread easily. Unfortunately, in our part of the country, mold season can last longer than in other areas due to longer, warmer temperatures. These allergens can go down into the lung and nose, leading to symptoms such as watery, itchy eyes, runny nose, and asthma flares. In addition to the allergens, cold air or smoke/fog used in haunted houses can trigger asthma by irritating the airway. Tips to stay prepared for this fall: If your child has asthma, make sure they have an unexpired rescue inhaler on hand in case their symptoms get triggered If your child has asthma, be prepared with their asthma action plan Avoid going out on lower temperature days if cold weather is a trigger for your child's asthma Stay away from playing in damp leaves, which are prone to containing mold Make sure your child takes a shower and changes clothes after coming home to help get the allergens off Remove shoes and jackets at the doorway, so the pollen doesn't track through the house Be prepared with their allergy medications and make sure they have taken their allergy medications for that day A mask could prevent exposure to some...

THANK YOU for voting Family Allergy & Asthma Care BEST ALLERGY CENTER in Denton County 2022! bestofdentoncounty.com/medical-health Our board-certified allergists, experienced PAs and friendly office staff are honored to serve you. For nearly 20 years, Best of Denton County has showcased local businesses that demonstrate a combination of outstanding customer service, commitment to our community, professionalism, as well as having some traditional southern charm.  Unlike most “BEST OF” publications, the Best of Denton County is not a readers’ choice award where the publication itself picks its top three advertisers and then allows readers to vote for their favorites. Learn more at their website. bestofdentoncounty.com  

Our DENTON OFFICE has moved! Visit us at our new location: 209 N. Bonnie Brae Medical Building 3 Suite 100 Denton, TX 76201 Get Directions at Google. https://goo.gl/maps/NCfALS6xzpUweSGh6 Our friendly, caring team helps both adults and kids find relief from allergies and asthma. Contact us today. https://faaccares.com/request-an-appointment

Unfortunately triggers for indoor allergies lurk throughout most homes. One of the most common indoor allergens are dust mites. These are microscopic bugs that feed off of shed human skin cells. Here are tips to help avoid dust mite allergens: ✔️ Cover your mattress and pillows with a dust mite encasement ✔️ Wash your bedding in hot water once a week ✔️ Vacuum carpet and rugs twice a week with a high efficiency particulate air filter Watch the video to learn more about indoor allergies. Our board-certified allergists, experienced PAs and friendly office staff are here to help you find comfort and relief. Contact us today.

Fire Ants - Wasp - Bees, OH MY! Spring in Texas brings to our minds beautiful bluebonnets and wildflowers. But spring also brings fire ants, wasp, hornets, and bees, which are not only annoying at picnics but also can be dangerous for venom allergic people. The wingless member of Hymenoptera Order is the Fire Ant, Solenopsis invicta. The Winged members are in two families, Apidae (bees) and Vespidae (hornets, wasp, and yellow jacket). Interestingly, only the female's sting. FIRE ANTS Fire Ants accidentally entered the US between 1918-the 1930s carried on a cargo ship from South America to a port in Mobile, Alabama. They have spread across the southeast and are further migrating. Although they prefer warmer climates, they are migrating north following the warmer areas next to highways and roads. Also, they are mating with native ants, which has made them more cold-tolerant. Global warming will likely allow their migration even further north. They build their mounds in the warm moist soil preferring open, sunny areas, such as pastures, parks, lawns, playgrounds, golf courses and be seen in any green space such as at shopping areas or gas stations. Commonly children can inadvertently step on a mound each summer/spring. The fire ant uses its mandible to grasp its victim, then arches its body and drives its stinger into the skin to release venom. It then pivots around its mandibles and inflicts further stings in a circular pattern. Classically a sterile pustule form 24 hours later.     BEES, YELLOW JACKET, WASP, AND HORNETS Flying insects in the order Hymenoptera includes bees, yellow jackets, wasps, and hornets.     Honeybee       Yellow Jacket   Hornet     Paper Wasp Honeybees, the Apidae family, live in colonies with up to 65,000 members. They build their nests inside hollow trees or logs. When it stings, it leaves a barbed stinger attached to a venom sac in the victim's skin, resulting in the bee's evisceration and death. Most bee stings occur while people are walking barefoot or handling flowers. Honeybees are docile and only sting when provoked or protecting their...

It's National Eosinophil Awareness Week (May 15-21, 2022)! Have you heard about this allergic condition? Eosinophilic [EE-oh-sin-oh-FILL-ick] esophagitis [uh-sof-uh-JIE-tis] − “EoE” for short − causes swelling in your esophagus (swallowing tube). The esophagus is in an upper part of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract (gut) and is the tube that moves food from your mouth to your stomach when you swallow. EoE happens when a large number of white blood cells called eosinophils [EE-oh-sin-oh-FILLS] collect and cause damage in the lining of the esophagus. It is often an immune response to food, but in some cases, environmental pollen can also trigger EoE. (https://www.kidswithfoodallergies.org/eosinophilic...) Have questions? Our board-certified allergists, experienced PAs and friendly office staff are here to help you find comfort and relief. CLICK HERE to contact us today. Learn more at the Facebook page for National Eosinophil Awareness Week.  

Fun and Prizes are waiting for you!!!!! Lots of food allergy friendly prizes and treats! Games, lights, decorations, and character inflatables! CHOO CHOO EXPRESS!!!!!!!!!!!! CLICK HERE TO SEE THE EVENT